CONTINUING EDUCATION (CE) PROGRAM GUIDELINES FOR ACCREDITED MORTGAGE PROFESSIONALS (AMP)

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Howard Perry
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1 CONTINUING EDUCATION (CE) PROGRAM GUIDELINES FOR ACCREDITED MORTGAGE PROFESSIONALS (AMP) 1. PURPOSE The purpose of the Continuing Education (CE) program for the Accredited Mortgage Professional (AMP) designation is to provide a formal and credible measure of commitment to ongoing education. The CE program has been designed to be relevant and flexible providing considerable choice when selecting professional development activities to meet CE requirements. 2. OBJECTIVE To improve or enhance the Accredited Mortgage Professional s ability to perform his or her job. 3. OVERVIEW OF AMP CE REQUIREMENTS AMPs are required to earn at least 12 CEU (Continuing Education Units) each and every calendar year. In addition, a minimum of four (4) of the 12 CEU must be from the Compulsory CE program. (a) COMPULSORY CE (4 CEU Required) The goal of the Compulsory CE program is to ensure that every AMP receives education each year on key issues impacting the mortgage industry. This portion of the CE requirement focuses on consumer protection and supports the enhancement of public confidence in the mortgage industry. The compulsory CE categories are subject to change as required to meet the objectives of the program. A minimum of four (4) CE Units must derive from educational activities that focus on the following categories: Regulations and Compliance This category applies to educational activities which relate to provincial and/or federal regulations, acts and legislation specific to the governance of the mortgage industry and its participants, and complying with them. For example, a regulatory update seminar required for re-licensing would qualify for this compulsory CE category. A training session on the Income Tax Act, or a course on the Employment Standards Act would not qualify as compulsory CE. Copyright 2016 Page 1

2 Fraud Avoidance This category includes educational activities that focus on fraud prevention methods, fraud trends, identity protection/theft, privacy etc. For example, an educational activity discussing trends in identity theft and identity theft detection would qualify for this compulsory CE category. A training session on desktop security software would not qualify as compulsory CE. Advertising and Marketing Standards This category focuses on the standards for Advertising and Marketing, not the techniques. For example, an educational activity based on the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards would qualify for this compulsory CE category. A sales effectiveness seminar would not qualify as compulsory CE. Housing and Mortgage Economics This category refers to educational activities which focus on research studies, statistics, surveys, etc. that reflect the economics affecting the housing market and mortgage industry. For example, an educational activity featuring a presentation by an economist and/or based on an Industry or Consumer report would qualify for this compulsory CE category. A securities training course would not qualify as compulsory CE. Note: A learning activity which qualifies as Compulsory CE may earn up to a maximum of 12 CEU. (maximum of 4 CEU per day) No carry-over of CE Units from year to year is allowed. Educational activities that do not qualify under the Compulsory categories may still qualify in the Professional Development category. Copyright 2016 Page 2

3 (b) PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CE The Professional Development portion of CE allows AMPs to select education topics that would be most applicable to them. Qualifying topics must improve or enhance the AMP s ability to perform his or her job and be relevant to the AMP s professional responsibilities. The following are examples of optional topics: Accounting Advertising/Marketing Appraisal Architecture Business Administration Business Etiquette College and University Level Courses Computer Software Training ½ CEU Construction/New Homes Credit Bureaus Default Management Economics Environment Ethics and Professional Conduct Finance and Financial Planning Home Buyers Plan Home Inspection Insurance Language Training Lender Products and Guidelines ½ CEU Lender Scorecards (lender specific) ½ CEU Lender Scorecards (general) Management/Supervision/Leadership Mortgage Loan Insurance Products ½ CEU Mortgage Servicing and Administration Negotiating Practice Management/Business Planning Project Management Property Management Real Estate Risk Management Sales and Customer Relationship Management Taxation Tax Deductible Mortgage ½ CEU Time Management Underwriting (lender/product guidelines) ½ CEU Underwriting (general) Urban Development Writing Skills ½ CEU denotes accrual at 0.5 CEU per hour of learning 4. QUALIFYING FOR CE UNITS Educational activities that qualify for CE units typically include industry conferences and seminars, webinars, e-learning and classroom courses. (a) CALCULATION OF CE UNITS It is the responsibility of the AMP to confirm CEU value with the education provider and the CE Program Guidelines. (b) MINIMUM DURATION A minimum of 0.50 hours of education is required to qualify for CE units. Copyright 2016 Page 3

4 (i) MORTGAGE INDUSTRY AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TOPICS 1 CEU Topics that apply across the mortgage industry, independent of company and/or product selection, are valued at 1.0 CEU per hour of learning, to a maximum of 4 CEU per day. We reserve the right to evaluate the level and depth of content. It is possible that some content may receive a CEU value of less than one (1) per learning hour. (ii) PRODUCT AND COMPANY INFORMATION 0.5 CEU Topics that focus on commercial product information, company guidelines, and software training are valued at 0.5 CEU per hour of learning (even if the topic is mortgage related). Examples include: lender or company policies; companyspecific underwriting guidelines; Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, etc.). The maximum allotment is 4 CEU per day. In-Person Activities: One (1) CEU per hour of learning to a maximum of four (4) per day Online Activities: For online courses totalling less than 10 hours, one (1) CEU per hour of learning to a maximum of four (4) CEU o Example: a Commercial Lending course is estimated at 6 hours online (<10hrs), the maximum CEU eligible is four (4) CEU in the professional development category. For online courses totalling 10 or more hours, one (1) CEU per hour of learning to a maximum of eight (8) CEU in the professional development category or twelve (12) if the activity falls under a compulsory category. o Example: an accounting course at a local college is estimated at 25 hours (>10hrs), the maximum CEU eligible is 8 in the professional development category. o Example: an online fraud prevention series is estimated at 15 hours (>10), the maximum CEU eligible is 12 in the compulsory category. Copyright 2016 Page 4

5 (c) OTHER ACTIVITIES CE The delivery of mortgage industry education by AMPs also qualifies for CEU, as follows: WRITING Writing articles for publication, including books, research reports, newspaper and magazine articles or columns, in approved subject areas. Value: 2 CEU per 400 words. (Articles must be a minimum of 400 words.) Writing must be for industry participants, not clients. SPEAKING Speaking at mortgage industry-related conferences, on approved subject areas. Value: 2 CEU per hour of instruction. Repeat sessions in the same year do not count for additional CEU. TEACHING Teaching and facilitating for colleges, universities, professional organizations and other educators, in approved subject areas. Value: 2 CEU per hour of instruction. Repeat sessions in the same year do not count for additional CEU. Other Activities qualify up to a maximum of 12 CEU for Compulsory categories, and maximum 8 CEU for Professional Development topics. AMPs are required to keep documentation of Other Activities, such as copies of the publication, conference program or contract for teaching, including title, date, length, etc. (d) NON-QUALIFYING ACTIVITIES Personal development activities do not qualify for CE units. Non-qualifying examples include: Conferences and seminars for the general public/consumer, e.g., Purchasing a Home Company and team meetings Motivational seminars Reading of newspapers and magazines (Mortgage Journal, Maclean s, The Economist, etc.) Participation to industry committees We reserve the right to disqualify non-approved CE if it believes that the content does not satisfy current guidelines. Copyright 2016 Page 5

6 (e) EXCLUSIONS Partial units for partial completion are not allowed. Carryover of CEU from year to year is not allowed. A course/seminar may not be counted twice for CEU in the same year; for example, attendance at the same symposium in different regions. Time spent on travel, reception, breaks, lunch and networking does not qualify for CEU. 5. RECORD-KEEPING AND REPORTING (a) AMP CE REPORTING The AMP is responsible for obtaining confirmation of attendance from the education provider, and accurately recording their CE units by self-reporting them in their education profile. This record will be subject to audits by Mortgage Professionals Canada. 1. Go to 2. Login with user name (typically ) or select Request Login Information 3. Click My Courses 4. Click Sel-Report 5. Follow instructions on new page 6. Do not enter CE associated with Mortgage Professionals Canada events or courses taken via Mortgage Professionals Canada Learning Management System as they will be automatically updated 6. MORTGAGE PROFESSIONALS CANADA AUDITS Every year a random group of AMPs will be selected for a CE audit by MORTGAGE PROFESSIONALS CANADA. The AMP must provide confirmation of completion/attendance for reported education activities. 7. COMPLIANCE AND SANCTIONS Failure to comply with the requirements of the AMP CE program, and erroneous or fraudulent reporting of CE activity, will be addressed by MORTGAGE PROFESSIONALS CANADA s Ethics Committee and may result in the loss of the AMP designation, expulsion from MORTGAGE PROFESSIONALS CANADA membership and/or other penalties. Copyright 2016 Page 6

7 8. PROVIDERS OF CE TRAINING Training providers must maintain high standards of quality and professionalism. We advise AMPs to consider the following when choosing a training provider: Experience of the provider in creating and delivering education and training Experience of the instructor as facilitator and subject matter expert Timeliness, materials and professionalism offered to the participant Provider s intent to furnish proof of CE completion Not all mortgage education provided by third party providers has been reviewed/approved by Mortgage Professionals Canada. To ensure CEUs qualify for the CE Program, you may wish to seek providers with pre-approved CEU values. 9. EXEMPTIONS There may be times when completion of CE requirements becomes difficult or impossible. Exemptions can be requested for extenuating circumstances. Note that the Exemption may not apply to the payment of AMP fees. Maternity/Parental Leave Exemption An exemption for one year may be requested in the year the AMP s child has been born or adopted if the AMP is taking maternity or parental leave. A Continuing Education Exemption Request Form must be completed and submitted for approval prior to the end of the calendar year the exemption is being requested. A copy of the child s birth certificate or adoption papers must be submitted with the exemption form. Disability Exemption AMP holders who have suffered a disability or serious medical condition may request an exemption to the CE requirements for that year. A Continuing Education Exemption Request Form must be completed and submitted for approval. Medical documentation must accompany the request. Each case will be assessed on an individual basis. It is possible that accommodations will be made, or CE requirements postponed. A permanent or long-term exemption will not likely be approved. Other Extenuating Circumstances Other extenuating circumstances may make it difficult to complete CE requirements in a particular year. A Continuing Education Exemption Request Form must be completed and submitted for approval. Each case will be assessed on an individual basis. FURTHER INFORMATION For further information, please contact Mortgage Professionals Canada at or via at ce@mortgageproscan.ca. Copyright 2016 Page 7

8 REQUEST FOR EXEMPTION FROM AMP CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENT Name: Street Address: City: Province: Postal Code: Tel. Number: Alternate Tel. Number: Company Name and Address: Please indicate the reason why you are requesting exemption from AMP Continuing Education Requirements: Illness/Disability Maternity/ Paternity Leave Other Reason (please provide reason) Length of exemption you are requesting: Please provide details below explaining the need for the exemption or attach explanatory letter. If you have documents to confirm the need, please attach. DECLARATION I declare that the statements made in this Request for Exemption are true and correct, and authorize MORTGAGE PROFESSIONALS CANADA to investigate and confirm as required. I further declare that I am not currently working. Signature of Applicant: Date: Copyright 2016 Page 8

CONTINUING EDUCATION (CE) PROGRAM GUIDELINES FOR TRAINING PROVIDERS

CONTINUING EDUCATION (CE) PROGRAM GUIDELINES FOR TRAINING PROVIDERS 1. PURPOSE The purpose of the Continuing Education (CE) program for the Accredited Mortgage Professional (AMP) designation is to provide